Damien Willis

Las Cruces police arrest 16-year-old in deadly Bugatti Drive shooting Police arrested a 16-year-old Las Cruces boy in the Nov. 15 Bugatti Drive shooting that killed a 21-year-old man and wounded three others. Detectives say public videos were key to the case.

LCPD arrested a 16-year-old boy in the Bugatti Drive shooting that killed a 21-year-old man and wounded three others. Police say witness videos were key to identifying him.

Fire damages Las Cruces home, two residents hospitalized as precaution Las Cruces firefighters extinguished a late-night house fire on Enchanted Drive that sent two residents to the hospital for precautionary treatment. The cause is under investigation.

Las Cruces firefighters responded just after 11:30 p.m. Friday to a blaze at a home on Enchanted Drive. Two residents were transported to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

One man killed, three injured in late-night shooting at Las Cruces house party Las Cruces police are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and three people injured during a house party late Saturday on Bugatti Drive. Detectives are seeking cellphone video from attendee...

Las Cruces police are investigating a deadly house-party shooting at 2400 block of Bugatti Dr. One man died, three are injured. Residents who filmed the scene are asked to come forward.

Branigan Cultural Center invites Las Cruces teens to enter 2026 All-City High School Art Show Las Cruces high school juniors and seniors can apply now for the 2026 All-City High School Art Show at Branigan Cultural Center, featuring cash awards, a new format and a free framing workshop.

Attention juniors and seniors in Las Cruces: time to shine. The Branigan Cultural Center is accepting submissions for the 2026 All-City High School Art Show. All media accepted. Deadline Jan 23. Don’t let AI-generated entries sneak in.

NMSU seeks input on strategic planning through town hall sessions NMSU is holding a series of town-hall meetings to gather input on its next strategic plan. The university encourages all stakeholders to attend, offer feedback and help shape its future direction.

NMSU is asking students, faculty, staff and community partners to join town-hall forums Nov. 19 and Dec. 9 as it develops its next strategic plan. Webcast available.

Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center sets weeklong pool closure for inspections The Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center will close its pools November 16 to 23, 2025, for annual maintenance and inspections, with extended hours at the Las Cruces Natatorium and adjusted fitness cente...

The Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center will pause all pool operations Nov. 16–23 for routine inspections and maintenance. The Natatorium will offer extended hours during the closure.

New Mexico Department of Justice warns consumers about unapproved weight-loss drugs The New Mexico Department of Justice is warning residents about fraudulent or unsafe weight-loss drugs being sold online and through med spas, urging consumers to use only state-licensed pharmacies.

The New Mexico Department of Justice warns that unapproved and potentially unsafe weight-loss drugs are being sold outside licensed pharmacies. Officials outlined the risks in a consumer alert this week.

New Mexico Legislature passes, acting governor signs $162.5M to cover SNAP payments if needed The Legislature passed, and the acting governor signed, a $162.5 million plan to keep SNAP benefits flowing in case of a federal lapse, safeguarding food aid for hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans.

New Mexico lawmakers approved — and the acting governor signed — $162.5 million to cover SNAP benefits if federal aid stalls, protecting food assistance for 460,000 people.

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico recognized for disaster relief leadership The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico received a 2025 Special Recognition Award for leading collaborative disaster relief through its Greatest Needs Impact Fund.

A major nod goes to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico for its disaster relief efforts — 2025 Special Recognition Award, more than $2.5 million directed to impacted individuals and nonprofits, coordination across 12 counties.

Trump nominates former NM GOP Congressman Steve Pearce to lead federal public lands agency President Donald Trump has nominated former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management, triggering criticism from conservation groups and energy industry support alike.

President Trump has nominated former NM Rep. Steve Pearce to run the Bureau of Land Management — a significant appointment for public-land policy in the Southwest.

NM special session moves ahead despite USDA release of full SNAP benefits New Mexico officials say they will convene a special legislative session Monday despite the United States Department of Agriculture releasing full November food-aid payments to roughly 460,000 residen...

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called the New Mexico Legislature back for a special session Monday — the goal: protect food-assistance programs for 460,000 New Mexicans, even after federal aid was restored.

One man dead, another injured in double shooting outside Whiskey Dicks Police say a 28-year-old man was killed and a 37-year-old suspect wounded after a confrontation turned deadly outside Whiskey Dicks in Las Cruces early Saturday.

A 28-year-old man was killed and a 37-year-old suspect wounded in a double shooting outside Whiskey Dicks in Las Cruces, police say. The search continues for a third person who left the scene.

Doña Ana County voters approve bonds, settle most local races as Las Cruces District 6 remains undecided Doña Ana County voters backed major bond questions and decided most city and school board races, while one Las Cruces City Council contest remains uncalled pending ranked-choice tabulation.

Most Doña Ana County races are decided, but one Las Cruces City Council seat remains uncalled as ranked-choice tabulation continues.

Former Las Cruces police officer found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in 2023 shooting A Doña Ana County jury convicted former LCPD officer Felipe Hernandez of voluntary manslaughter in the 2023 shooting of Teresa “Terry” Leyva Gomez. The case tested police accountability and use-of-for...

A jury has found former Las Cruces police officer Felipe Hernandez guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the 2023 shooting death of Teresa “Terry” Leyva Gomez.

Doña Ana County leads southern New Mexico in early absentee turnout Doña Ana County voters have returned more than 12,000 absentee ballots, accounting for 9% of New Mexico’s total as of Oct. 31, according to state data.

Doña Ana County leads southern New Mexico in early absentee turnout so far — a substantial share of the state’s total ballots returned.

Las Cruces firefighters offering free glow necklaces for Halloween safety The Las Cruces Fire Department will hand out free glow necklaces Oct. 31 to help trick-or-treaters stay visible after dark. One per child, available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at seven city stations.

Free glow necklaces for trick-or-treaters? Las Cruces firefighters are all in today for Halloween safety.

NMSU scientists are tracking the New World screwworm situation as the parasite spreads north. The threat could impact ranchers and wildlife across the region.

Mark your calendars: Veterans Day Parade in Las Cruces on Nov. 8. Join the march, salute the service.

📍 See the first comment below for the link.

The Hunt Center at NMSU will host a student pitch event for the Hult Prize, a global competition encouraging entrepreneurial solutions to some of the world’s most urgent challenges.

The rising cost of everyday essentials hit home in Las Cruces when Rep. Vasquez met with residents to hear their stories firsthand.

🔗 Full story in the first comment.

The monster mash continues in Las Cruces — the library’s hosting a House of Dracula-inspired event this week. 🧛

📍 Full details in comments below...

New Mexico Taxation and Revenue warns against mail scams The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department is warning residents about fraudulent mail campaigns threatening property seizure over alleged unpaid debts. Officials advise using the department’s secu...

The NM Taxation and Revenue Department is warning residents about mail-fraud campaigns masquerading as tax liens and seizure threats.

FYI+ launches 24/7 mobile crisis team to respond to mental health emergencies in Doña Ana County Families & Youth Innovations Plus, Doña Ana County’s certified community behavioral health clinic, has launched a round-the-clock mobile crisis team dispatched through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelin...

FYI+ is rolling out a new 24/7 mobile crisis team in Doña Ana County to support residents in mental-health emergencies—dispatch via 988.

NMSU Extension launches virtual reality nutrition training NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service has launched a new virtual reality training program to help educators and health professionals teach nutrition and healthy habits more effectively.

NMSU’s new VR training program helps nutrition students practice patient counseling in immersive simulations. Want to see how tech is reshaping wellness education?

SOS Toulouse Oliver announces run for NM lieutenant governor Toulouse Oliver, a three-term secretary of state, formally announced her bid for lieutenant governor on Oct. 23, 2025, saying New Mexico needs a champion for democracy in a pivotal election year.

Experienced, battle-tested and now in the race: Maggie Toulouse Oliver has launched her campaign for lieutenant governor in New Mexico, promising strong leadership at a critical time for democracy and elections.

New Mexico officials challenge federal suspension of November SNAP benefits Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez are pressing the USDA to reverse its decision to suspend November SNAP benefits, citing harm to 460,000 New Mexicans and potential legal ov...

Facing a federal shutdown, over 460,000 New Mexicans could lose SNAP benefits next month.

Gov. Lujan Grisham calls it a failure to feed families. AG Torrez joins a coalition demanding answers from Washington.

Federal shutdown threatens Head Start; NM Dem introduces bill to extend protections With the federal government shutdown threatening to cut funding for Head Start programs across New Mexico, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández and colleagues introduced legislation to establish permanent...

Across New Mexico, early-childhood teachers and parents are bracing for the shutdown to hit Head Start funding. A new bill from Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández would guarantee payments so programs can stay open and kids can stay in class.

Doña Ana County invites residents to meet Fire Chief finalists during virtual Q&A sessions Doña Ana Fire Rescue will host virtual community sessions Oct. 27–29 and Nov. 4, giving residents a chance to hear from each Fire Chief finalist and ask questions through a live YouTube Q&A.

A chance for the public to interact directly with fire-chief finalists: Doña Ana County hosts virtual sessions allowing community input.

NMSU professor among 2025 recipients of Governor’s Award for Excellence Connie Voisine of New Mexico State University is among seven recipients of the 2025 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, recognized for her poetry, teaching and role in elevating the literary ...

A professor at NMSU has been honored with the 2025 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts — one of the state’s highest cultural recognitions.

New Mexico officials weighing options in advance of lost SNAP benefits With SNAP benefits for 250 000 households in New Mexico hanging in the balance, state officials say they are evaluating every possible option—ramping up food-bank support and coordinating with schools...

New Mexico is bracing for a food-aid crisis as SNAP benefits for 250,000 residents are set to expire Nov. 1. Officials are scrambling to respond before the cutoff.